To wonder if anybody has had success cutting scrolling with a brick device?

[ToughC00kie]

Surely if it’s in the house you’d be tempted to just tap it to scroll? Can see how useful it would out of the house with the brick at home.

Really want to find something to cut screen time time but don’t want to waste money.

Is It just an expensive gimmick?

Have you tried the apps that block you from using your phone? They only work when you are really motivated ime though. The book ‘how to break up with your phone’ is good, it helped me reduce my time a lot but I didn’t keep it going - need to read it again!

I don’t know what you mean by the expensive gimmick? Brick phones are £20 aren’t they?

My DS tried this.

he bought a Nokia brick.
it was successful in reducing phone use but he found the lack of what’s app a problem - most of his friendship group are on there.

he’s upgraded slightly to a phone that does have what’s app.

The brick is a small device that works with an app that has to be tapped to open Apps you've blocked so great if you’re away from home and leave the brick at home I guess but I need something to cut scrolling at home too. It’s supposed to be effective but I’m not sure how helpful it would be at home.

https://getbrick.app/?nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A22799569802%3A189385467784%3A764097012429&nb_adtype=&nb_kwd=phone%20brick&nb_ti=kwd-331784302244&nb_mi=&nb_pc=&nb_pi=&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=b&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22799569802&gbraid=0AAAAA-Z25K367xOA0z-gPLjtPAD0ZTuJe&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsN2LsZPbkgMVn6NQBh1XIjZ6EAAYASAAEgINi_D_BwE

You could just take social media apps off your phone so you have to fire up your laptop/tablet to use them? That's what I have done.

Also, because of the pay or consent, I can't use them on my laptop anymore anyway, but occasionally they will let me in on my tablet. So that helps, too!

Edit: WhatsApp and FB Messenger are still on my phone.

For me, it comes down to Internet access. When I go to my parents' boat, the Internet doesn't work well inside the boat. So, I end up ditching my phone and only checking it once a day. I find I read masses of books and do some drawing, colouring in, writing, playing card and board games, and other hobbies.

The key for me is whether I can access the Internet or not. So, if I had a basic dumb phone as my main phone, I'd be grand. I'd have to change my ways though. I would need to use my laptop to do the everyday tasks modern life requires such as email, bills and banking etc.

I use my phone camera - I could have a physical camera but then I would take as many photos or videos as I wouldn't be carrying it around with me.

The problem also would be when we went out. I use my smart phone to check bus and train times, or to order cabs or Uber on an app etc. We use Google maps and the SatNav.

It's complicated!

Perhaps I need a phone jail for the smart phone at home 🤣 and a dumb phone for at home.

Oh, I think you’re going to get lots of replies about ‘brick phones’ as that’s what many people would understand ‘a brick’ to mean these days. Had a quick look - why pay £53 when you can get apps that block your phone at set times or block set apps? BePresent is one I have used.

Because I guess you can set it up and leave the brick at home so even if tempted you can’t unblock when out. But yes I’m not sure how different it would be to blocking apps when at home although I guess if you left it in another room it might help but then you might as well leave the phone in another room.

Just curious, it’s had a lot of hype , wondered if anybody had tried it.

This thread feels like an ad...

I find as with anything, you have to fill your time with something else. We have lately got into the habit of having a large jigsaw puzzle on the go and we all add to it each day. I'm scrolling a lot less.

You have to create alternative habits rather than use yet more tech

Well I can assure you it isn’t.

And as for the just fill your time I have a house full of puzzles and other shit to do but the fact is phones are highly addictive and the majority of people struggle massively to not scroll.

If you get the brick and get rid of your smartphone you cant just tap n scroll. What’s confusing?

Isn't that the opposite of what you would want? You are less likely to sit scrolling when you are out doing things, but are more likely to need to check money/train times/tickets/etc.

I've put a screen time counter widget on my phone, so everything i pick it up I see how long I've used it for that day, and I find that helps.

Sadly I scroll in queues, cars , lunch time- everywhere.

You can leave money, trains etc untouched- I’d never scroll on those anyway.

My sister has one. She loves it, she sets it up & leaves it on the fridge, says it really helps her to discipline herself.
She says at home having it on the fridge does help as when she’s in bed she won’t be bothered to get up to tap it.
It’s a con really because you can override it but you only get a few overrides, after that point the brick doesn’t work & you have to pay again to ‘restart’ it (can’t remember what sister said exactly). So £50ish but actually you can stop it anyway & then have to pay again. Genius marketing!

For Android, the Minimalist phone app is really good for reducing screen time, as is the Niagara Launcher.

I'm not sure about the iPhone as I don't have one.

I use one.

Mostly for when I’m at work. I find my phone to be genuinely addictive. Tried using a Nokia brick phone, but obviously there were no travel, wallet apps etc, so the brick works for me. I found it slightly faffy to set up, and there is a scheduling thing so I have it set to turn on at 8:15 so I can do my LinkedIn games on the train in the way into work.

i still doomscroll at home, so I don’t think it’s the be all and end all but I like it!

I’ve been so tempted by this but can’t justify the spend right now. I find it too easy to bypass the apps that stop you going onto apps or screen limits. I was going to put the brick in my car so it’d be available at home but a hassle to go out and tap. I figure it might make you think a little more if getting into the apps required a (sometimes cold/rainy!) trip outside with car keys.

I also saved this reel recently which has sone helpful tips: www.facebook.com/share/r/1AVfx9RPyE/?mibextid=UalRPS

I hate when companies take a common term for their brand. A brick phone was a big cold heavy phone - a dumb phone now. I downgraded to a dumb phone for daytimes and I use willpower for the smartphone antics.

I met someone who installed something called Balance on to their phone which restricts what you can do with your ‘smartphone’ and even what websites you can use. That’s a great system that allows internet access and map access etc and WhatsApp but without the distractions.

i don’t need that - I just don’t allow myself to be contactable 24/7 on social media. I check into what’s app first thing and then in the evening but that’s it and you know what? People survive!

Are you concerned you are addicted @ToughC00kie ?

Wow, you pay them £50 to unlock your phone? Basically they are profiteering from people addicted to their phones. This feels very ethically dubious.

On iPhone you can put it in accessibility mode and decide which apps you want to allow when you set it up. You can unlock it with a pin so still easily bypassed but it’s something.

I just looked at the website and can't find any details about having to pay to bypass the lock. It implies you just call customer services to do it. So hopefully your sister was mistaken. Because if that's the case I think it's seriously dodgy

I have successfully come of scrolling social media this is the only platform I go on !!
Firstly I set my iPhone so I couldn't access apps between certain times and once I got used to that I I changed my phone to a snazzy little thing and I disabled my accounts on everything I don't miss it at all I thought it was going to be hard but actually I am so busy doing stuff I don't even miss it it's so strange !! But it's sooooo GOOD

@ToughC00kie did you get one and is it working?

They currently have a 25% discount and I'm very tempted, I really need to address my doom scrolling and if I could regain the 3+ hours a day I waste it would absolutely be worth it!

I'm reluctant because I have managed to 'cheat' every single app/ hack I've tried so far.

Try going away for a break or holiday to somewhere where there is no phone signal. Have to find other things to do - reading, playing board or card games, drawing, writing, going out for the day, going for walks etc. Then switch to the brick phone.